RSA National Media Release
14 December 2012


RSA welcomes Government’s offer of Special Annuity to Veteran Bill Framhein

RSA National President Don McIver has welcomed the Minister of Veterans’ Affairs Hon Nathan Guy’s notification that the Government has offered Vietnam Veteran Bill Framhein a Special Annuity in place of the Veterans’ Pension.

“This will mean that he will no longer be required to live in New Zealand, separated from his family in the Cook Islands for six months of each year, to qualify for the Veterans’ Pension which he so richly deserves,” Mr McIver said.

Mr Framhein’s circumstances are unique. He completed four tours of duty in Vietnam in the service of his country. His service-related disablement qualifies him for the Veterans Pension. RSA members consider it to be unfair that the authorising legislation placed a residency restriction on payment of that pension, and have advocated on his behalf.

The Minister has found an effective way of overcoming the problem and Mr Framhein will receive the equivalent amount to the Veterans’ Pension with no residency restriction being applied as long as he continues to live in the Cook Islands.

“This is a great outcome and I am sure it is just about the best Christmas present Bill could have received,” Don McIver said.
Ends

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Scoop Business: Bathurst Gets Nod For DoC Access To Denniston Mine

Conservation Minister Nick Smith has approved access over conservation estate land for Bathurst Resources to develop an open cast coal mine on the Denniston Plateau, above Westport, to the dismay of environmental opponents.

The timing for Smith’s move avoids Bathurst having to resubmit applications for access agreements under the revised Crown Minerals Act, which comes into force tomorrow and would have required public consultation.

The announcement lands in the middle of delicate negotiations between the company, environmental groups and other interested parties that could pave the way to a broader agreement on the Escarpment proposal, whose resource consents are still subject to court appeals. More>>